WordPress founder Matt Mullenweg recently tweeted that the free WordPress app for iOS hasn’t received an update for some time because “we were locked out by the App Store”.
Mullenweg’s tweet said there is no way for the company to release the update or fix the bug until it accepts the need for in-app purchases (allowing Apple to collect a sum of money). for Wordpress.com packages from the company.
Essentially, Apple won’t approve Wordpress until the app includes in-app payment options. The weird thing is that this app doesn’t sell anything. WordPress is an open source application and only allows users to create a website hosted on a free WordPress server. Apple’s action aims to get 30% of all .com purchases.
Mullenweg’s accusation comes as Apple is facing a war from Epic Games over the terms of the in-app payment request agreement. Apple has been accused by Epic Games of exploiting its market dominance to carry out increasing surveillance practices and how it exercises control over developers through the App Store.